Essex Police are looking for information after two distraction burglaries took place in Clacton in one day.

The burglaries both too place on November 11 with police believing that the two events may be linked.

The first incident took place at 4.30pm at an address on Meredith Road.

A man knocked on the door at the address, claiming that he worked for ‘Essex Carers’ and that he was checking whether the couple there were warm enough.

He was asked to leave after failing to produce identification to an 85-year-old woman living at the address.

In the second burglary a man knocked on the door at an address in Wellesley Road at a 5.15pm.

He pushed his way past the 86-year-old occupant claiming that he needed to use the toilet.

When she asked him to leave, the man threatened to urinate in the hallway.

The occupant followed him up the stairs and found him in her bedroom with her handbag.

She asked him to leave and took the bag. A £10 note is believed to have been taken.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Luke Howard said: “It is possible the same man was involved in both incidents and I am keen to speak to anyone who saw him in the area at the time, or knows who he is.”

The suspect has been described as white, aged in his late 20s to 40s, between 5ft 3ins and 5ft 6ins tall and of slim to medium build.

He had brown or black hair and was wearing a jacket.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dc Howard at Clacton CID on 101 quoting reference number 42/160337/17.

Alternatively, contact independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.